US Vice President Vance, while commenting on trade negotiations with Canada on the 24th, stated that "Canada has put forward a bunch of unreasonable demands at the last minute" and "I think a deal should be reached, but we need to send a loud and clear message to the Canadian Prime Minister: stop taking advantage of the people of Maine. Stop taking advantage of the United States. This is over. We want trade policy to be fair and just." Vance noted that negotiations are still in progress, adding that "the US will strive to achieve fairness in trade."

On July 20, US President Trump signed several proclamations, imposing a 50% tariff on hundreds of specific Canadian imports, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement, under Section 338 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. The new tariff measures were originally scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on August 19, but Trump announced on August 18 that the implementation would be postponed by three days. Additionally, tariffs imposed by Washington on Canadian steel, aluminum, automobiles, and lumber since last year remain in place.

At midnight on August 21, Canadian Prime Minister Carney stated that he had decided to suspend trade negotiations with the US and recalled the negotiation team. On August 22, Carney delivered a national televised address, comprehensively outlining Canada's position following the collapse of the trade talks. Carney announced that, given the US's 50% tariff on CAD $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, Canada's equivalent retaliatory tariffs are scheduled to take effect on September 8.